hayhenny

English

Etymology

From Spanish jejenes, plural of jején (“midge”).

Noun

hayhenny (plural hayhennies)

1. (rare) A small biting midge (especially in Latin America); a noseeum.
   • 1922, Everybody's Magazine, volume 46, page 133:

     “That's only a hayhenny,” he explained. “Hayhennies are lilttle flies. The rising sun is waking 'em up.”

   • 1926, Hart Crane, letter, 30 July:

     Certainly the hayhennies and crowing roosters (at all times of nights) and the breathlessness of the “air” don't encourage one to slumbers.